Are you listening? Even if you are, you probably don't understand.
Through the years the misinterpretations between men and women have been examined, tested, and argued over. But is there actually any evident proof that men and women can't actually communicate together? Let's discuss.
The comparisons in the findings of theorists like Janet Holmes, Deborah Tannen, Pamela Fishman all can support the idea that misunderstanding is common with the genders. Whether its because they have different purposes in a conversation or believing the man has more power behind the discourse, there are many interesting discoveries made on the subject of miscommunication.
So, lets talk about Deborah. She explored the difference model and the variations of the intentions of a conversation from men and women. She found this:
This proves that men and women can leave a conversation with a completely different idea of what the conversation was about! Crazy! This also is suggested in Allan and Barbara Pease's article 'Why men don't listen & women can't read maps'. For instance, men like big words to lecture and report, they aim to insert their status and ignore the real meanings of words whereas women like to be supportive of someone therefore stereo typically cannot 'read a map' because they don't have the assertive powers in a conversation like men do. However, is this proof that we cant communicate? Does that cause the miscommunication?
Pamela Fishman however, found the division of labour in conversation which also supports the fact that the aim in conversations varies, she found that women asked 3 times the number of questions that men asked amongst 3 white, middle-class heterosexual couples.Men were found to provide minimal responses to the questions being asked which provides minimal understanding of whatever the other person was speaking about, suggesting the ignorance.
Through the years the misinterpretations between men and women have been examined, tested, and argued over. But is there actually any evident proof that men and women can't actually communicate together? Let's discuss.
The comparisons in the findings of theorists like Janet Holmes, Deborah Tannen, Pamela Fishman all can support the idea that misunderstanding is common with the genders. Whether its because they have different purposes in a conversation or believing the man has more power behind the discourse, there are many interesting discoveries made on the subject of miscommunication.
So, lets talk about Deborah. She explored the difference model and the variations of the intentions of a conversation from men and women. She found this:
Women Intentions: Men' s Intentions:
- To provide sympathy - To problem-solve
- Rapport - Report
- Listening - Lecturing
- Private - Public
- Connection - Status
- To be supportive - To be oppositional
- To be intimate - To state independence
This proves that men and women can leave a conversation with a completely different idea of what the conversation was about! Crazy! This also is suggested in Allan and Barbara Pease's article 'Why men don't listen & women can't read maps'. For instance, men like big words to lecture and report, they aim to insert their status and ignore the real meanings of words whereas women like to be supportive of someone therefore stereo typically cannot 'read a map' because they don't have the assertive powers in a conversation like men do. However, is this proof that we cant communicate? Does that cause the miscommunication?
Pamela Fishman however, found the division of labour in conversation which also supports the fact that the aim in conversations varies, she found that women asked 3 times the number of questions that men asked amongst 3 white, middle-class heterosexual couples.Men were found to provide minimal responses to the questions being asked which provides minimal understanding of whatever the other person was speaking about, suggesting the ignorance.
